Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Making a decision to amp. or not is a horrific position to be put in. It took me over a month of crying everyday, sleepless nights and researching to the point of exhaustion before I finally decided to have my Happy Hannah's leg amputated because of osteosarcoma. I scheduled and cancelled two different surgery dates before proceeding. I felt as though I was frozen in a nightmare where the fear was suffocating.
It's been eleven days since Happy Hannah's surgery and it has not been easy on her. She's adjusting fairly well and relatively quickly to walking on three legs(rear leg amp. It is major surgery and the recovery time varies greatly dog to dog. She is recovering and she is starting to be her silly happy self. Because of this site and videos posted on You Tube, I felt as though I was prepared as possible on what to expect, what the surgery site would look like, eating/drinking issues, etc. With all this knowledge it still has been a frightening, stressful , sleepless eleven days. This site has sustained me and help me keep my sanity and I encourage you to continue to express any concern anytime because there is always someone here who has most likely experienced your particular situation.
Once you make the decision--whatever it is---you will make the right one and you will be able to handle whatever comes your way. You will be Tahoe's hero.
My thoughts are with you and we are all here for you.You are not alone. Sending you tons of empowering energy and the hope for a peaceful AND a good night's sleep!!!
Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!
I just wanted to chime in with our story.
Chico (8 year old black Lab) was diagnosed with histiocytic cell sarcoma in April/May of 2012. His right front leg was amputated in May and a lymph node determined that the cancer had spread. Within a week he was started on chemo--vincristine via IV once a month followed by lumostine orally two weeks later. We did 5 months of vincristine and are still on the lumostine once a month.
He had his latest oncology appointment last Friday where he got an "A" grade!
One thing that was recommended to me by friends was to give him some liver support as the lumostine can be really hard on their systems. So far he hasn't had any liver issues, so I'm glad I did this. He gets about 80% of a human's dose of alfalfa, milk thistle and Sam-E once a day. I do believe it helps.
I wish you luck!
Making a decision to amp. or not is a horrific position to be put in. It took me over a month of crying everyday, sleepless nights and researching to the point of exhaustion before I finally decided to have my Happy Hannah's leg amputated because of osteosarcoma. I scheduled and cancelled two different surgery dates before proceeding. I felt as though I was frozen in a nightmare where the fear was suffocating.
Thanks very much for the words of wisdom and experiences with Hannah. Can I ever relate, as I have been still going back and forth with whether to amp or not. Tahoe is generally pretty good for mobility, except for the first couple hours in the AM until the Deramaxx kicks in. He is certainly lame and limping and I question how much pain he is in as the PAHS apparently is not usually as painful as OS.
I need to make a decision this week. Meeting with the Surgeon tomorrow,along with another vet who administers the chemo. I guess I am looking for someone to say, go in this direction, and you will get a better quality of life and more quantity of life. But reality no one knows our buddy's expiry date, not ours.
I wish you and Hannah all the best and hopefully are going to break all survival records.
Stirling
"Tahoe" - Our Amazing Superman and Best Friend.
Dec. 01-03 to Aug. 19-14
Diagnosed with Periarticular Hystiocystic Sarcoma Feb 14-13; Amputation March 18-13, and diagnosed with STS April-14. Tahoe touched so many people while visiting us, leaving a massive void in our lives. Always Missed, Never Forgotten!!
Thank you everyone.
Jake- you look so handsome and I an encourage to hear that you are doing just great. Keep up the great effort!
Shooter - Thanks for you story and feedback!
Chico - you are my hero! very glad to hear that you got an 'A'! Excellent news, especially with having HS, which is similar to what Tahoe has (PAHS). I will send you a PM to get some feedback, more specific to HS and chemo.
"Tahoe" - Our Amazing Superman and Best Friend.
Dec. 01-03 to Aug. 19-14
Diagnosed with Periarticular Hystiocystic Sarcoma Feb 14-13; Amputation March 18-13, and diagnosed with STS April-14. Tahoe touched so many people while visiting us, leaving a massive void in our lives. Always Missed, Never Forgotten!!
Sweet Stirling --how I "feel your pain" and, like you, I just wanted someone to make this decision for me. It's just me, my dogs and I have to accept full responsibility for the decision and I have to be their biggest advocate and loudest voice when communicating with the vet. I've learned not to get in discussions with friends as their response is against amputation and certainly against chem!! I was totally against both too------and then I read everything I could ( I'm sure y ou,I've read Dr
. Dresslors book). and found this valuable site --which has helped me more than I can say. So once you've armed yourself with all the info as you are doing you will come to a decision and feel right about it ( and then, if you're like me , you'll still change your mind a few more times!!!!!)
One thing that pushed me over the edge was that Hannah's leg pain started getting worse and I knew I would be forced to consider the unthinkable. I guess you could say happy Hannah is the one who a actually made her own decision! We're. All here to support you and Tahoe . Survival rates be darned! We're creating our own here on Tripawds and we're shooting for years and years and years!
You are adding and so is Tahoe!
We are all walking with you, Sally and Happy Hannah
Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!
Hi Stirling and Tahoe-------Just checking in to see how you are doing--we care!
Sally and Happy Hannah
Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!
Hi Sally and Hannah,
Thanks for checking in. Well after lots of deliberation, research and finally tests with the oncologist yesterday we are now booked for the amp this coming Monday. The oncologist did abdo US, chest X-rays, and tried to get fluid from the lymph nodes but one was too tough, what they could not see any nodules, so the decision was made. We will also likley do some chemo, a combination of alternating lomustine and doxorubicin. No experience in either of these drugs but will be doing more research. Any thoughts on thee drugs, did you do chemo at all?
Just ordered a harness and booties today (Ruffwear products), just checking items off in preparation. Don't think I am ready though ..
Regards,
Stirling and Tahoe
"Tahoe" - Our Amazing Superman and Best Friend.
Dec. 01-03 to Aug. 19-14
Diagnosed with Periarticular Hystiocystic Sarcoma Feb 14-13; Amputation March 18-13, and diagnosed with STS April-14. Tahoe touched so many people while visiting us, leaving a massive void in our lives. Always Missed, Never Forgotten!!
Is anyone ever ready for cancer? I know I sure wasnt! I think eventhough Polly is 2 month post amp I still havent fully accepted that it is cancer. (oseto)
I am going to tell you, the first week is painful. More so for you than Tahoe. Sure Tahoe will be tired and groggy and look at you like "what the heck did you do to me?!" But just remember you did this so that Tahoe has a chance to live longer and happy! You might want to repeat that to yourself daily. I know I did and when I started to doubt my decision, I got on this website and read all of the stories of dogs like Polly that are beating the odds against them and are kicking cancers butt!
I dont have any experience with the drugs you will be using. Polly is doing metronomics and we are really happy with the results we are seeing.
We (polly and I both) wish you guys the absoutle best of luck. Everyone on this site has been though a similiar situation and all can relate. This is an amazing group of people and they have the best advice!!!! Good luck!
Jenn and Polly
Way to go Stirling! I know how you have agonized over this decision. You have done your research and you are as well iformed and as prepared as anyone can be during this frightening and unsure time. You are making decisions out of love for Tahoe and he knows that.
Whatever challngesyou will face, there is always someone on this site who has probably had experience with the same situation and can help guide ou through it.
Happy Hannah, after three weeks yesterday is still having some difficult times with her recovery - -and she is also having some good times I was ready to proceed with chemo two weeks after amp. but decided she needed to be feeling stronger first and not still hampered by some pain. Scheduled for her first chemo tomorrow (carboplatin) and I'm still not sure if I'm going that route--or metronomics ---or not at all!!!Just letting you know that, for me, none of these decisions have been easy or instantaneous and I consider them all an intense nightmare!!!
So for now, take comfort in knowing you've made a gigantic decisionand good for you!! You can take a "decision making break for now and just focus on Tahoe's recovery from surgery. We aree all here for you and walking with you. Keep us posted and we'll be thinking of you next week. Tahoe will adjust far better than you can imagine.
Holding you safe in our hearts, Sally and Happy. Hannah
Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!
Hi Jenn and Polly, Sally and Hannah,
Thank you both (any the many others) for their thoughts, suggestions and support, as it means a lot! I still cannot believe we are going to be doing this to my buddy but I have to keep reminding myself that this will be the best for the long run for him. You are so right, this process will likely be much harder on me than him. He will likely bounce back like the trooper he is.
I think I have about everything in place, except need to get a firm, mattress for the floor for Tahoe for when he returns home. The rest of the time is to spoil him and enjoy some sunshine over the weekend before Monday Am rolls around. And yes, try and get some sleep for myself. I also need to get my daughter prepared for how Tahoe is going to look when he returns home, as she is quite worried about him and the whole ordeal.
I will update, after getting word from the surgeon on Monday.
Stirling and Tahoe
"Tahoe" - Our Amazing Superman and Best Friend.
Dec. 01-03 to Aug. 19-14
Diagnosed with Periarticular Hystiocystic Sarcoma Feb 14-13; Amputation March 18-13, and diagnosed with STS April-14. Tahoe touched so many people while visiting us, leaving a massive void in our lives. Always Missed, Never Forgotten!!
Thinking of you. We're here for you
Lots of love Sally and Happy Hannah
Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!
Evening folks,
Well, the amp was completed earlier this afternoon. According to the surgeon Tahoe, was a real trooper, no complications with the surgery. Lympth nodes and one other lump sent off to pathology. I am hoping to speak with the surgeon in the am to get word on his progress and hopefully I will get the green light for a visit Tuesday afternoon. After that if all goes well, he comes home Wednesday...yeah!!
I am scrambling to find him a new bed, as per Jerry's and others recommendations. His new Ruff Wear harness arrived today.
Thanks for the thoughts,
Stirling and Tahoe
"Tahoe" - Our Amazing Superman and Best Friend.
Dec. 01-03 to Aug. 19-14
Diagnosed with Periarticular Hystiocystic Sarcoma Feb 14-13; Amputation March 18-13, and diagnosed with STS April-14. Tahoe touched so many people while visiting us, leaving a massive void in our lives. Always Missed, Never Forgotten!!
Good news! Surgery day can be so long waiting for news, I'm glad he did well.
Rest up before he comes home so you are ready for care giving. I made a bed for one of my quad pugs- I got some memory foam from the fabric store and made a cover out of a blanket. Others here have used a crib bed.
Let us know when you get him home.
Karen
HI Karen,
Thank you! Yes, it has been some sleepless nights leading up to today with lots of agnst about the amp. I feel exhausted but also realize that I need to be ready, physically and emotionally, for when Tahoe returns home.
I have thought about and looked at the crib mattresses but concluded that they may be a tad too narrow, as Tahoe is quite large and loves to stretch out. So, your other idea of the memory foam is what I was thinking, so will get on that tomorrow. Well, off to bed. Good night
Stirling
"Tahoe" - Our Amazing Superman and Best Friend.
Dec. 01-03 to Aug. 19-14
Diagnosed with Periarticular Hystiocystic Sarcoma Feb 14-13; Amputation March 18-13, and diagnosed with STS April-14. Tahoe touched so many people while visiting us, leaving a massive void in our lives. Always Missed, Never Forgotten!!
Glad to here from you and glad Tahoe is doing well. Like that the vet is keeping him two nights. Have to pass on my two cents on the bed. And you can go to Amazon from the tripawd page and it helps the community,
THE. IG BARKER BED. XL My review was written back in Feb so you'll have to look for it. Starts with MyDog LovesThisBed. LOVES IT. I cannot say enough about it. And most nights for a month tomorrow I've been sleeping in the floor with Happy Hannah and with some extra blankets and pillows I've been able to "share" part of that bed with her. Prior to surgery she was 123 lb. Ir's sturdy, incredible foam and absolute.y has not lost one centimeter of its shape and Happy Hannah really does give it a work out.
Sending you and Tahoe lots of love , Sally and Happy Hannah
Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!
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